The moon lander, named Odysseus, developed by Houston-based Intuitive Machines, is reportedly “alive and well” but has landed on its side following its historic touchdown on the lunar surface. This marks the first instance of a private spacecraft reaching the moon and the first from the United States since 1972. The lander is resting near its intended landing site, propped up sideways on a rock near a crater called Malapert A in the moon’s south pole region.
CEO Stephen Altemus stated that Odysseus is stable, and communication with the lander is established, with teams working to obtain the first photo images from the lunar surface. The initial conclusion that the lander had touched down in an upright position was based on faulty telemetry before the landing. Despite the sideways resting position, the spacecraft is in good condition, and its systems, including the propulsion and power systems, are functioning properly.
The mission involved the use of liquid methane and liquid oxygen for propulsion, a first in space exploration. Intuitive Machines’ mission director, Tim Crain, reported flawless performance during the spacecraft’s flight to the moon. Despite a last-minute issue with the navigation system during the final approach, the ground team successfully employed an untested work-around, ensuring the lander’s safe descent and landing.
The successful touchdown of Odysseus represents a significant milestone in private space exploration and lunar missions. As teams continue to assess the lander’s condition and gather data from the lunar surface, this achievement paves the way for future private ventures in space exploration.
